Data protection course for charities and community groups in Reading in December

Reading Voluntary Action has announced a data protection course for Reading-based community groups and charities at Reading Central Library, Abbey Square. It will be held between 10.15am and 1pm on Tuesday, December 12.

Data protection can seem like a daunting prospect, especially for many charities and small organisations. The course aims to help candidates gain an understanding of what the responsibilities are under the current Data Protection Act.

It also provides practical tips on how to process personal and sensitive data without breaching the Act, as well as getting ready for the new General Data Protection Regulations that will come into force in the UK in May 2018.

Things that can be gained from attending the course:

• Have an understanding on the eight principles of the Data Protection Act
  Understand how it applies to the personal and sensitive data you collect, use and process
• Gain an ability to identify potential areas of concern
• Have an understanding of how to reduce the risk of a data breach
• Have an understanding of the potential impact of the future change to regulation (GDPR)
• Understand how Data Protection fits with Freedom of Information, Information Sharing and Information Security
• You should also leave the session with some practical tools and ideas for managing personal and sensitive data and ensuring you comply with the Data Protection Act and forthcoming GDPR.

The course is suitable for anyone who handles personal and sensitive information, either through paper or electronic records. The Data Protection Act applies to any charity that collects, uses or holds personal or sensitive data.

This course is primarily for Reading-based groups and spaces are limited. Due to demand, there is a limit of two people per organisation. If the group does not operate in Reading you can still get in touch and be placed on a waiting list.

The course will be deliverered by Kelli Peters of Databasix, a data consultancy from Didcot, Oxfordshire. Having originally worked within the NHS on data projects, Databasix now deliver workshops to voluntary organisations as well as businesses with a people-focused approach to data management, aiming to improve data quality and encourage ownership at a local level.

The course is at their reduced rate of £40 for Reading based charities and community groups. To buy tickets, please click here for a link